What Is Blackstone? Company Behind The Viral Photo Where Workers Barricaded A Door During A Mass Shooting - Were They Targeted?

A chilling image of office furniture stacked against a door at Blackstone's headquarters in Midtown Manhattan has gone viral, capturing the terror of employees during a deadly shooting at 345 Park Avenue on 28 July 2025.

The attack, carried out by 27-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, left four dead, including a Blackstone executive, an NYPD officer, a security guard, and a Rudin Management associate.

As the public grapples with the tragedy, questions arise about Blackstone, the global investment firm at the heart of the incident, and whether it was the gunman's intended target.

The photo, shared widely on social media, symbolises the fear and survival instincts of workers caught in the chaos.

Blackstone: A Global Financial Powerhouse

Blackstone, headquartered at 345 Park Avenue, is the world's largest alternative asset manager, overseeing £793 billion ($1.06 trillion) in assets as of late 2024.

Founded in 1985 by Stephen Schwarzman and Peter Peterson, the firm specialises in private equity, real estate, credit, and hedge fund investments.

Employing nearly 5,000 people globally, Blackstone's influence spans industries, from real estate to technology. Its real estate division, where victim Wesley LePatner served as a senior managing director, is a cornerstone of its portfolio.

Blackstone confirmed her death, stating, 'Words cannot express the devastation we feel. Wesley was a beloved member of the Blackstone family and will be sorely missed.'

The firm's prominence in finance makes it a high-profile tenant in the 44-story skyscraper, which also houses the NFL and KPMG.

However, police suggest the NFL, not Blackstone, was Tamura's likely target, as a note found on him referenced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and grievances against the league.

The Viral Photo: A Symbol of Survival

The viral photo, shared by X accounts like @JorgeFNAVA, shows Blackstone employees on the 32nd floor barricading a door with couches, chairs, and desks, reaching the ceiling.

Employees also hid in bathrooms and conference rooms, with some remaining until past 22:00 as police cleared the building.

The image, verified by Business Insider through sources familiar with the incident, reflects the survival instinct of workers as Tamura, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, rampaged through the building.

He fired in the lobby and on the 33rd floor, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The photo's raw depiction of fear has resonated widely, highlighting the human toll of workplace violence.

Another post from @MustangMedicX noted, 'The shooter killed a Blackstone Executive in their Offices in New York City yesterday.'

Was Blackstone Targeted?

Investigators believe Tamura's motive was tied to the NFL, not Blackstone. A three-page suicide note found in his wallet referenced CTE, a brain disease linked to head trauma, and accused the NFL of concealing its dangers.

New York Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 on 29 July 2025, 'It appears as though he was blaming the NFL for his CTE matter,' noting Tamura took the wrong elevator bank, missing the NFL's offices on floors five to eight.

Tamura, a former high school football player, had a documented mental health history, including two crisis holds in Nevada. His note mentioned, 'Football gave me CTE and it caused me to drink a gallon of antifreeze,' referencing former NFL player Terry Long's suicide.

Despite Blackstone's high-profile status, no evidence suggests it was targeted. The firm's real estate executive, Wesley LePatner, was among the victims, killed in the lobby alongside NYPD officer Didarul Islam, security guard Aland Etienne, and Rudin Management's Julia Hyman.

An NFL employee was critically injured. The tragedy underscores the vulnerability of shared office spaces, with Blackstone's closure of its offices on 29 July 2025 reflecting ongoing safety concerns.